Watt and Gronk

There seems to be a growing sense that the top and most valuable non-QBs in the league are Watt and Gronkowski, probably in that order. Typical is http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on...y-pile-week-11-was-a-bad-day-for-the-mannings, which goes back and forth on whether Watt should get the MVP, then says

Along with Rob Gronkowski he's the one of the two single biggest difference makers not playing quarterback.

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and eventually also

But this season, like other New England seasons, hinges on their big tight end. If the Pats get to the playoffs with Gronk healthy they're going to be a nearly impossible out.

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The writer also praises Pepper greatly in the same article.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2242359-ranking-the-nfls-top-50-players-at-the-midseason-mark is another example.

Obviously, Gronk wasn't and shouldn't have been ranked that high before he proved he was all the way back from injury, but now that he is -- wow.

No question, those are the two most unstoppable forces out there on the field. No one can match up with either guy. I agree, Watt is probably #1 right now - 4 TDs as a DE, and playing on both sides of the ball. But both are playing out of their minds.

Our 99 is 87 + 12.

When Gronk is at 100% he makes some truly amazing plays. The touchdown against the bears where he threw the safety off of him, the 1 handed catch almost TD against the Broncos and the TD against the colts were all stand out plays. On top of that he brings a physicality and attitude to our offense. On top of being dominant Gronk is incredibly entertaining.

Gronk and Watt strike me as very much mirror images on opposite sides of the ball. Huge, ridiculously long and strong guys with agility you'd never expect from those frames...and non-stop motors. If you were designing football players from the ground up, they're pretty much the prototypes.

I have believed for a while that Gronk is the best player (non-QB) in the NFL. He is unstoppable if healthy. Watt is in that same category. Though NE has held him to just 0.5 sacks in three games against him, I believe.

Tunescribe said:

I remember practically praying for the Patriots to draft Watt. We could've had him.

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Nah, we couldn't. He was my draft binky too, but he was drafted well out of the Pats' reach. (A surprise, too, since the defensive front 7 was already Houston's strong point.)

mayoclinic said:

No question, those are the two most unstoppable forces out there on the field. No one can match up with either guy. I agree, Watt is probably #1 right now - 4 TDs as a DE, and playing on both sides of the ball. But both are playing out of their minds.

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I can't say it any better so I won't try. Watt is a freak of nature and so is Gronk. They are both the best at their positions and maybe even someone else's position. LOL

dales804 said:

I have believed for a while that Gronk is the best player (non-QB) in the NFL. He is unstoppable if healthy. Watt is in that same category. Though NE has held him to just 0.5 sacks in three games against him, I believe.

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I've been saying that for 2 years already. Gronk is a once in a generation type player ...

I love Brady, but if I had a vote for MVP this season, I'd give it to Gronk, and it's not even a debate on my mind..

patchick said:

Nah, we couldn't. He was my draft binky too, but he was drafted well out of the Pats' reach. (A surprise, too, since the defensive front 7 was already Houston's strong point.)

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Watt was picked 11th. Going on memory there was talk of moving up since we had the 17th from Oakland (used on Solder) and other multiple early picks including our own first that ended up being traded out of. The idea was to find the Pats' next Richard Seymour and Houston reportedly was open to trading down for multiple picks but it didn't happen. We stayed put and went OT, and that was that.

Tunescribe said:

Houston reportedly was open to trading down for multiple picks but it didn't happen.

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Huh, I remember precisely the opposite -- that BB actually said things suggesting he wanted to trade up in that draft but couldn't find a willing partner.

patchick said:

Huh, I remember precisely the opposite -- that BB actually said things suggesting he wanted to trade up in that draft but couldn't find a willing partner.

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"Willing partner" is relative to both teams agreeing on a price.

nabwong said:

Our 99 is 87 + 12.

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We have a winner!